Background on Babeu and a hat tip to Star reporters

by David Safier

Talking Points Memo published a piece by a resident of Babeu's old home town, North Adams, MA, giving background about the sheriff's pre-Arizona days. Funny thing, though. TPM puts a correction at the end saying there were errors in the piece and cites an article in our own Star to correct the record.

It's a May, 2010, article by Tim Steller and Brady McCombs, two reporters I've praised in the past for their investigative skills. It's a thorough, well researched discussion of Babeu's bio, including his statement that as a youth he was abused by a priest who was moved from town to town over the years leaving a trail of abused children. The article talks about Babeu's bravery in discussing the incident openly.

Babeu's candor in one area of his life makes his very carefully scripted statements about his relationship with Jose (no last name as yet) look even more guarded by comparison. And one quote from the Star article jumped out at me, where Babeu said,

"One of the leadership traits in the military is you seek and accept responsibility," Babeu said. "That's what I've always tried to do."

When it comes to exactly what happened after he and his lover parted ways, Babeu has not yet given a clear, complete statement. He appears to be dodging responsibility, not accepting it — though, since all the facts aren't in, it's hard to know exactly what happened. If Babeu's story is accurate, he needs to supply more details rather than hide behind statements about how this is all an attempt to discriminate against him because he's gay. The story is about intimidation and possible abuse of power, not sexual orientation.

Steller wrote a follow-up blog post a few days later with more details about Babeu's political career in Massachusetts.